Hello my lovelies that actually subscribed/bookmarked my blog. Who knew that it would be so hard to keep up with entries? I guess everyone that has had a blog at one point and promised to update it frequently?? Even though I usually have a lot to say I sometimes can't differentiate between what I really want to say and what I think others will want to read.
So many things have happened since the last time I actually updated (JULY!?!). I suppose I'm also still processing everything and haven't been able to verbalize what's been happening. So here's a summary of the past 6 months!
July/August: I finished my summer semester at Ewha without knowing where I would be going next. (In my 7/7/11 entry I explained how my plans of going to Naju fell through.) I wasn't sure how God would provide during this time- I needed some sort of miracle because I literally had no other options. This was also around the time that I "broke ties" so to speak with GCC. It was a mutual agreement and probably inevitable. It just made the most sense at the time. I was getting more and more involved at my church here- taking membership classes, leadership training, small group, etc. I decided to meet up with my social worker at SWS and see if there was anything she could do for me. She told me about a Korean language scholarship to Kyunghee University that also included a dorm. They were looking for more people to apply and she made it pretty clear that I just had to fill out the application and I would be accepted. I was soooo happy!! I really needed a new place to live and this was perfect. I was also going to do the program with other adoptees. The only problem was that it didn't start for another 3.5 weeks. But my friend graciously let me stay with her during that time.
September-Dec: Back to living in a dorm! It was actually not that bad and I had a lot of space. The school is located in northeastern seoul so it was great living in a new area. I roomed with a jewish adoptee from the Bronx. We got along pretty well- especially compared to all my other experiences with a roommate! I wasn't really home much because of church stuff and didn't ever get to hang out with her and the other adoptees. My class was really hard! The levels really vary by school so even though I was supposed to be in intermediate 1, the level was a bit too high for me and I struggled. I even had two tutors!
At church I was experiencing a whole new level of intimacy with God. To join leadership we had to have a Healing and Deliverance session- which is basically where you confess all your deepest, darkest thoughts and sins in front of a small group of mostly strangers...BUT after confessing these things you ask God for forgiveness and verbally agree not to do those things again. In the sight of the Lord this is really powerful. Many of us can say that they've sought forgiveness for this and that but there was no escaping it here. Whatever you think you had already confessed you had to confess again. For one girl in my group who is now a really good friend- she shared things that she hadn't told anyone from church about. At first she felt really embarrassed and ashamed, but she felt free to share and knew that we were not going to judge her. While she was confessing and while we sat around her and prayed- you could literally feel the chains of bondage, sin and lies from the enemy break off of her. When you lay your burdens down at the feet of Jesus, He takes care of them for you. For me I would have really vivid dreams about my ex from college. It's been almost 6 years since we broke up- but I would dream about him from time to time and wake up completely depressed and distraught. The dreams would differ in content and outcome- but my reaction when I woke up was still the same. I found out that I was having this reaction because of the soul tie that had been formed while we dated. I needed to verbally break the soul tie in order to be free. Since the retreat I've had a few dreams, but when I wake up I am filled with peace instead of darkness and dread. I also think that I was finally able to REALLY forgive my ex for what happened while we were breaking up. The Lord heard my cry and I was able to receive God's peace and forgiveness with everything that happened in that relationship!
In terms of finding a job here- it's been a lot harder than I thought. I was able to get two tutoring jobs but they only lasted a month. Teaching at a hagwon or school was never really an option because of the amount of time that they would take up. And since I've done that before I know that I'm really not suited for it. But as a result of a random meeting I am sort of interning as an administrator for my friends' company, Today's English. We want to make Korea an English speaking country, not just an English proficiency test taking nation which it is now. Most of those exams are based on memorization and not actual ability. So there's all these people getting good scores to get into college and work at a good company, but they can't speak to you. We are in our beginning stages but this year we will see a lot of increase! Check out our videos on youtube: http://youtu.be/LaO1hgO-wOQ!! I am learning a lot and feel really "loved" by my 2 spirit-filled bosses. I actually go to church with the "CEO" and knew him from when I lived in Korea before. He's a great leader and really seeks God instead of fame and fortune when it comes to running this business.
In mid December as most of you know- I went back to the states for a month. Sorry to those that I didn't see!! It was a really good trip and I was able to get my parents' blessing to stay in Korea for more than just a year. I didn't even have to ask their permission- they just knew that I wanted to stay longer. I also got to spend precious time with my BFF, Brianne. She was really my sugar momma while I was home! I got to share stuff with her about what God was doing in Korea and she was really happy for me and understands more why I need to be here. Living so far apart has really been hard for us!! It's easy to feel really alone her in Korea- which you might find hard to believe with so many people and so many things to do. But some people just feel like home to you and that's what Brianne is to me. Sometimes I just need home to be right next to me <3
January: I came back to Korea to my new home-stay. A friend that I had met in cooking class introduced me to the family. The daughter Sophie is 10 and her English is really good. They just got a maltese puppy a few weeks ago. I've been here for 3.5 weeks and last week the mom wanted to kick me out all of a sudden! I think she's really stressed out with the new dog that she didn't want, Sophie being on winter vacation from school and having a stranger living with her. My friend spoke to her and she changed her mind. The obvious language barrier is exactly that, a barrier. She doesn't understand my heart and how much I really do appreciate this opportunity. Please pray that this house is filled with joy and peace and that there are no more miscommunications!! Pray that the mom and I will continue to show each other grace! I really want to stay here for Sophie. She studys all the time and her mom is always criticizing her or yelling at her. She needs an older sister type (even though I'm old enough to be her mom!!) to encourage and speak life into her. I'm not sure how long God will want me to stay here.....but I need to make the most of it. As of right now I'm hoping to only stay for 6 months until I can find my own place- but that really depends on if I can find part time tutoring jobs. Please pray for the Lord's favor with finances and jobs!! Because I have to tutor Sophie in the evenings I luckily can't work at a hagwon. They're really terrible places to work- but you get paid the most. I have an interview on Friday to teach an adult working for Samsung engineering- so please keep that in prayer and I will let you know what happens.
Ok I shall end here as this has undoubtedly been my longest post yet! I will try to update every few weeks, so this doesn't happen again! Thanks for reading and if you need further clarification on anything, please let me know!~
thanks for the update pearl! God is clearly evident in your life.
ReplyDelete